are you marth or mary?
By Sweetchariot
@Sweetchariot (1718)
United States
July 27, 2009 10:30am CST
As explained in the Gospels, the sisters Martha and Mary are intimate freinds and followers of Jesus. When Jesus visits their home, Martha busies herself in the kitchen preparing to serve him, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to his stories. Overwhelmed by the work, Martha complains to Jesus, "Don't you care that my sister has left me to all the work by myself? Tell her to help me". Jesus' repllied: "Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her."
When people to come to your home and visit, do you enjoy their company, sit and listen, instead of worrying about the condition of your home. When you are hosting the big Thanksgiving meal, do you prepare it the day before, so you can enjoy the gathering on Thanksgiving, or do you run around that day, and find no time in chatting with your visitors. If someone calls you the last minute to go out and have coffee with them, do you refuse because you aren't dressed right or you're too busy cleaning your home?
Are you Marth or Mary?
5 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
29 Jul 09
Hi Sweetchariot, I would never use housework as an excuse to not do something else, I loathe it but do it. To me a house is not a home unless there are books around so I don't feel at home in a pristine house with nothing out of place. When I have guests I prefer to make something like tappas or mezzes which I can prepare in advance and sit down with my friends, not lurk in the kitchen.
As for thanksgiving we don't have it, our major feast meal is Easter and I always make sure we are invited somewhere else, no way am I attempting to produce lamb innards rolled up and turned on the spit, best let someone else get on with that.
I don't understand the need to prepare elaborate food and stress over it when a few good salads and mezzes can be delicious and not cause a nervous breakdown in the kitchen. I'm lucky that people love my food anyway but we all visit for the company.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
29 Jul 09
Well then you are certainly a Mary, which is a wonderful thing!
I, too, agree that big meals for alot of people is not fun to do, and on our major holidays, I, too, try to get someone else to do it.
@ccdiane (151)
• Cheyenne, Wyoming
28 Jul 09
My sister and I have not had a lot of visiters at our home where we are living right now. We haven't yet experience family gathering for the Holiday meals just yet. But in the past I had always prepared ahead of time so I'm with family and visiters. All though there has been times I've been concern, but overall, I would say I'm more a Mary than a Martha. I always enjoy having company, but times has change when children are not always around to socialize, so one has to look to others to enjoy company. If someone did ever call me to have coffee with them?, I would jump to the opportunity. While my sister would not want to do so. I hope this helps. I like this story.
1 person likes this
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Good for you! We should all jump at the chance to be with people....our lives shouldn't be so hectic that we forget the important things in life.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
27 Jul 09
We think everything has to be right when new people come to visit, but I truly believe it's the person they are coming to visit, not the home; besides, if I know they are coming ahead of time, I would do what I had to do the day or night before, so I could enjoy their company. If they come unannounced, then they wouldn't expect everything to be in order in the first place. I would hope they came to see me and not the appearance of my home.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I am a little bit of both really, Martha and Mary. Part of me is the worker and part is the worshiper! I can do both equally as well. I can be up and serving people or I can be sitting talking. It really depends on the situation. However, people are the only thing we get to take with us so I feel they are worth the investment.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Yes, they are....and it took me a long time to figure out what I had be missing everytime someone came to my home. I know longer run around while they are there, meals are simple, giving me time to invest in the friendship of others.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I believe I am both. I do prepare the night before we have people over but tend to continue up through the night after they are here to keep my home in order. In my defense I have several children as well as too many pets :) in my home so I am tending to their needs all the time tending to the needs of the visitors. In doing this though I talk and visit while I do these things. So I guess I am both.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I can understand when you have children to contend with, they often don't allow the grown ups to sit and visit for awhile do they? However, there is nothing better than just sitting, stress free, and enjoying the company of another. I'm sure the one visiting would enjoy it as well.
